''Chennai Puzhal Central Prison a role model for other jails''

Chennai, Jul 27 , (UNI) The Chennai Puzhal Central Prison is a role model for other jails in the country, Chief Justice (CJ) of Madras High Court A K Ganguly said here.

Inaugurating a Free Leagal Aid Cell and an HIV Integrated Testing and Counseling Centre in the prison yesterday, Mr Ganguly said he was impressed by the manner the modern prison was being maintained.

''The swanky Puzhal Central Prison model, which offers abundant space, ventilation, lawns, water, quality medical and legal aid to inmates, should be adopted in all the jails in the country,'' he said.

In his presidential address, Justice S J Mukophadya said when the prisoners come out after their jail term, they should be good in nature and start their new life without fear.

Ms Supriya Sahu, Project Director, Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (TANSACS), said Rs 26 lakh had been allotted for testing centres in prisons. Nearly 20 lakh people had used the facilities through 800 centres in Tamil Nadu last year, she added.

Additional Director General of Prisons Mr R Natraj pledged to treat all the 19,175 inmates in the 134 prisons in the state in a humane manner.